The relation between Pakistan and Afghanistan is VERY BAD, with an overall score of 0.07 out of 10.
Chance of conflict between both countries: high
Head to head: who leads each category
About this relationship
Pakistan and Afghanistan share a long, turbulent relationship marked by a disputed colonial-era border, deep ethnic and tribal ties across it, and, since the Taliban's 2021 return to power in Kabul, an escalating armed conflict that by 2026 amounted to open warfare between the two states.
Pakistan never recognized the Durand Line, drawn by Britain in 1893, as a fully settled border, and decades of instability in Afghanistan, including Pakistani support for the Taliban insurgency during the 2001-2021 war, shaped a fraught but interdependent relationship. Islamabad had hoped the Taliban's return would curb cross-border militancy, but the Pakistani Taliban, or TTP, instead intensified attacks from Afghan sanctuary, souring relations badly.
Pakistan has responded with repeated airstrikes on alleged militant targets inside Afghanistan and mass deportations of Afghan refugees, while Afghan forces have launched retaliatory strikes across the border, producing hundreds of casualties in 2026 alone according to UN reporting.
Periodic ceasefires, including one brokered around the March 2026 Eid holiday, have repeatedly collapsed amid mutual accusations, with an April 2026 strike on a university deepening the crisis.
As of August 2026, the conflict remains active and unresolved, with sporadic strikes, closed border crossings, and continued mass deportations straining a relationship both sides describe as approaching open war.
Strengths & comparison
The position in the international influence ranking of Pakistan is 16, while Afghanistan is situated 41 places below in the ranking (position 57). Pakistan maintains contact with 95 countries, while Afghanistan maintains contact with 34 countries. Pakistan maintains an excellent relation with 16 countries, while in the case of Afghanistan, this figure drops to 6.
About Pakistan
Pakistan is a country in South Asia that is bordered by India to the east, China to the north, Afghanistan and Iran to the west, and the Arabian Sea to the south. It has a population of over 220 million people and is the world's fifth-most populous country.
Pakistan was created in 1947 as a homeland for Muslims in the region of British India, and it has a long and complicated history. It has experienced periods of military rule as well as democratic governments, and it has a diverse mix of ethnic and religious groups. The country has a predominantly Muslim population, but there are also significant minority communities of Hindus, Christians, and other religions.
Pakistan has had strained relations with its neighbors, particularly India, with whom it has fought several wars. The disputed region of Kashmir has been a major source of tension between the two countries. Pakistan has also been involved in conflicts with Afghanistan and has been a key player in the war on terrorism.
Pakistan is a nuclear-armed country and has one of the largest militaries in the world. It is a member of the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and it plays an important role in regional politics. The country's economy is largely based on agriculture, but it also has a growing industrial sector and is home to a number of multinational companies.
Geography & terrain
Highly varied terrain: the Karakoram and Himalayan ranges in the north, the fertile Indus River plain at the center, and the Balochistan plateau and desert in the south and west. Climate ranges from alpine in the mountains to arid and monsoon-influenced in the lowlands. Coastline on the Arabian Sea. The northern mountains form a strong natural barrier, but the Indus plain and western passes have historically been major invasion routes into South Asia.
About Afghanistan
Afghanistan is a country located in South and Central Asia. It is bordered by Pakistan to the south and east, Iran to the west, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan to the north, and China to the far northeast. The country has a complex history and has been a battleground for various powers throughout its history.
In recent times, Afghanistan has been embroiled in conflict for several decades, starting with the Soviet invasion in 1979 and continuing with the civil war that followed. The country has also been a major theater of operations in the War on Terror, with the United States and other countries intervening in the country after the September 11th attacks in 2001.
Since then, Afghanistan has seen significant political and social upheaval, including the rise and fall of the Taliban, the establishment of a new government, and ongoing violence and conflict with various militant groups. The country has also struggled with issues such as corruption, poverty, and a lack of infrastructure and development.
Despite these challenges, Afghanistan has made some progress in recent years, including holding successful elections and making progress on issues such as women's rights and education. However, the country still faces many challenges and will likely continue to be a focus of international attention for the foreseeable future.
Geography & terrain
Landlocked, no coastline. Rugged and mountainous, dominated by the Hindu Kush range, with arid plains and deserts in the south and west. Climate is arid to semiarid, with harsh winters at altitude. Famously difficult to conquer and hold: the high passes and compartmentalized valleys favor local defenders and have worn down successive outside armies over centuries.
| Government type | Federal parliamentary republic | Islamic emirate |
| GDP | $407.3BLeads | $17.8B |
| GDP per capita | $1.6KLeads | $417 |
| Military expenditure | $10.2BLeads | $278.3M |
| Military expenditure per capita | $46Leads | $7 |
| Land military expenditure (estimation) | $5.6BLeads | $222.6M |
| Air military expenditure (estimation) | $2.5BLeads | $55.7M |
| Naval military expenditure (estimation) | $2.0B | n/a |
| Nuclear power | Yes | No |
| European Union | Not a member | Not a member |
| NATO | Not a member | Not a member |
Strengths & comparison
The capitals of Pakistan and Afghanistan are approximately 367 km apart (straight-line distance). There is a standard time difference of about 0.5 hours between them.
Based on shared language, currency, economic profile, borders and international groups, Pakistan and Afghanistan score a 15/100 similarity index. This is a fun, approximate metric — not a scientific one.
Very bad relation (3-/10) with both countries
Which side is each country closer to?
Comparing Pakistan's and Afghanistan's scores against the same third countries shows where each one has a clear edge. Pakistan scores noticeably higher with: Iran, South Korea, Poland, Syria, United Kingdom. Afghanistan scores noticeably higher with: Indonesia, Germany, Palestine, India, United States.
The relation between Pakistan and Afghanistan has improved recently by 0.1 points, reaching an overall score of 0.1 from a previous value of 0.0.
Score history
Let's suppose a hypothetical conflict occurs between both countries:
In a hypothetical conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan, probably,
Pakistan won't have any partner.
Indonesia
will participate helping Afghanistan.
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